I’ve always been curious about Florida’s Panhandle and have heard the area referred to as “the forgotten coast.” As many of us do, I traveled on Interstate 10 through the Panhandle and thought— oh yes, I’ve been to the Panhandle. 

Well, let me say that if I-10 is the most of the Panhandle that you’ve seen, then you are in for a real adventure if you travel away from the main thoroughfare and wander the beaten highway of U.S. 98. What a pleasant surprise I had awaiting me.

What is “the forgotten coast?” I decided to find out. 

Perry

I began my journey in Perry on U.S. 98. The route from Perry to Wakulla Springs is a beautiful drive with lush forests and wildlife sightings along the way. I actually saw an American Bald Eagle foraging along the highway and what a gorgeous site that was to behold! 

As beautiful as this first portion of my drive was, my real adventure began at the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. This 6,000-acre wildlife sanctuary is famous for its spring and abundant wildlife.

A drive through the park lead me to the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge that was built in 1937 with Mediterranean Revival architecture. Entering the lobby is like taking a step back in time with its old world décor, marble and granite walls and wood beam ceilings meticulously painted with a European folk art motif by the court painter of Kaiser Wilhelm; the original art deco elevator is still in use.

The Ball Room restaurant offers good Southern-style cooking, and I enjoyed my lunch there. Tall windows line the walls, and I was able to view the spring, the wildlife and the forest area while I dined. Wakulla Springs is rich in history and dates back to the Paleo-Indian period. 

The spring has been used extensively by Hollywood crews as a backdrop for many a movie. The heyday of filming here occurred during the 1950s to 1970s. One can peruse several  photo albums in the lobby that have old newspaper clippings depicting those years of filming and the many famous actors who stayed at the lodge.

Relax on one of the sofas in the great room and watch an old 1950s movie filmed at the spring, like “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” If you talk to the right person, you can hear tales of ghosts that are said to walk the halls. Fun, fun! 

Apalachicola

I continued on my trek and was pleasantly surprised to find that once I passed through Panacea, U.S. 98 runs along the coastline. I viewed miles and miles of gorgeous white sand and the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Absolutely gorgeous!  For nature lovers: the drive takes you through the Apalachicola National Forest and St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge.

If you like to shop, make a stop in any one of the port towns scattered along the highway like Apalachicola, Carrabelle or Port St. Joe, each of which offers its own version of old Florida charm. You’ll find boutiques, antique shops and souvenir stores as you while away the hours.

There are seafood restaurants galore, and if you want fresh items to take home, visit the small, locally owned and operated seafood businesses just east of Apalachicola—they offer  great prices. I stopped and bought several pints of the Apalachicola oysters that the area is known for to test  the local recipes I found along the way.

Mexico Beach, a popular sun-bathing spot, is a good halfway point between Wakulla Springs and Panama City. Check out the cute boutiques that line the highway—each is brightly colored and offers arts and crafts items and neat souvenirs of Florida.

Cape San Blas and St. Joseph Bay

I stopped to pay my respects at the World War II D-Day Training Site. This area was once an important land and sea training ground for the U.S. military during the D-Day mission, and a marker describes the area’s significance in our military history. 

Cape San Blas is another must stop on your journey. I took SR 30 East through the peninsula and was greeted with breathtaking views of St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This area of Florida is peaceful, dotted with bungalows, cottages and homes on stilts. It is one of the few areas left of Florida that is reminiscent of the state’s East Coast before it became commercialized. 

Located at the end of the peninsula, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park’s beach has made several of America’s best beaches lists. 

Panama City

Once you’ve enjoyed the peace and quiet of these parts of U.S. 98, you will find yourself in the Panama City and Panama City Beach areas of the Panhandle. This area offers gorgeous beaches  as well as high-rise condominiums, hotels, motels and beachside restaurants.

Interspersed here and there are a few surviving bungalows from yesteryear. This area is known for its spring breakers, but a little-known secret is that the fall is an ideal time to visit to enjoy a relaxing respite from the daily trials of life. 

The beaches are not crowded, and the weather is sunny and warm. You can get fantastic deals on lodgings, as the off season begins in the fall. There are a number of things to enjoy— sport fishing, surf fishing, parasailing, jet skiing, golf, dining, clubbing and, of course, shopping at the popular Panama City Pier.

My second weekend at the beach, I was surprised to find that Thunder Beach had come to town. This four-day motorcycle event brings in some 55,000 motorcyclists from all over the country. For anyone who likes to look at motorcycles, you will be in hog and shovelhead heaven.

There are also custom show bikes of all kinds, shapes, colors and designs at Thunder Beach. For those who enjoy the beauty of the open road on two wheels, it’s a sight to behold.

For me, though, after a long day of working, traveling and wandering the area there is nothing like a long and peaceful evening walk on the beach. I collect the occasional seashell, watch the dolphins play, see jelly fish skitter by and end the day by enjoying a spectacular night sky show as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico.